Growing in Community Lesson Plan

---

Bible Study Guide Sunday, January 27, 2019

Growing in Community Sermon Text:​ Ephesians 4:1-16 Study Texts:​ Philippians 3:12-16 Sermon Recap​: Having developed the idea that the salvation of sinners is God’s work, and that through the gospel, men and women are eternally joined together in the people of God, Paul now turns his attention to our lives inside the community of God. In Ephesians 4:1-16, Paul expounds this idea: The entire Body of Christ functions together for the growth of the body. We see that, through the gospel, each member of God’s Church is gifted in such a way as to build up the body itself. And, we come away with the realization that it takes each of us functioning together to carry out the work of the Church. There are no spectator seats in the gospel community of God; we have each been called to a vocation in the gospel community of God. Sermon Connection:​ In Philippians 3:12-16, Paul is calling each member of the gospel community to take up their role and work within the community because of the work accomplished for us in Jesus. Paul begins by reminding us that our present standing and future hope all rest on Jesus. Indeed, Paul says quite clearly that his motivation for faithfulness is Jesus’ work on his behalf. “​...but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His Own.​” So then, as we consider the necessity of our role in the gospel community, it must always be within the context of being ​in Christ together​.

Lesson Plan Lesson Goal: ​To see that our understanding of and our attitude within gospel community come from Jesus Himself Lesson Points: Point 1: The Foundation of Our Community Membership ​(vv. 12-14) Point 2: Our Conduct within Gospel Community ​(vv.14-16) The Context: ​In this section of the letter, Paul has been reflecting on how the gospel has reoriented his life. No longer is he focused on his religious achievement and standing. On the contrary, he sees all these things as loss because they have distracted him from true 1

holiness. By God’s grace, Paul is entirely cross-centered, and he is calling the Christian community to be of the same mind. Point 1 - ​The Foundation of Our Community Membership​ ​(vv. 12-14) ● To what is Paul referring in v. 12 when he says, “​Not that I have already obtained this…​”? ● How does this give him hope and confidence to live a life of bold faith? ● Where does Paul say our membership in the community of God comes from? Why is this important as continue to think about being ​in Christ together​? ● In v. 13, Paul writes, ​“Brothers,​ ​I do not consider that I have made it my own...​” What does such an attitude and mindset teach us about how to think about our salvation and the salvation of our brothers and sisters? ● What does Paul say is the right response to a correct understanding of our membership in God’s community? Point 2 - ​Our Conduct within Gospel Community​ ​(vv. 14-16) ● What does v. 14 teach us about the conduct and activity of a gospel community? ● How is this distinct way of living related to/rooted in vv. 12-14? ● What does v. 15 teach us about Christian maturity and what Paul is saying? ● How should mature Christians interact with immature Christians within gospel community? Group Reflection Activity ● Have someone from the group read Acts 2:42-47 again, and pray over the text for your group. ● Discuss the nature and purpose of the following activities in the life of growth group. ○ Bible Study ○ Confession and Repentance ○ Worship ○ Prayer ○ Hospitality and Meals ○ Spiritual Gifts ○ Mission Application Questions ● What would it be like for you to live in such a community? ● What must change in your heart and mind for such community to take place? ● What daily activities must change or be altered? ● What must change in how you view your life? ● Are these changes worth it to you? Why or why not? 2